Congress downplays Mulayam's support to Naidu, says only accept Akhilesh's version

Image: Ex-CM of UP Akhilesh Yadav/Courtesy-Twitter

New Delhi: Despite Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav announcing his support to NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate Venkaiah Naidu, the Congress has downplayed the development and said the only decision that matter was that of ex-CM of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav. SP's authority is with Akhilesh Yadav and Congress will only consider his version, said Chief Spokesperson of Uttar Pradesh Congress Surendra Rajput, reported ANI. "SP right now is standing with Gopalkrishna Gandhi, who is a Congress candidate and so Mulayam Singh's version will not be accepted," he added. Akhilesh's decision would be considered final, Rajput further said. Interestingly, Naidu took to twitter and thanked Mulayam Singh for his support, saying, "Happy that Sh Mulayam Singh ji blessed me and extended his full support."

Happy that Sh Mulayam Singh ji blessed me and extended his full support

— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) July 18, 2017

Vice Presidential candidate M Venkaiah Naidu, representing the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), on Tuesday, filed his nomination for the post. After filing his nomination papers, in a press conference, he said-"Office of Vice President is a different profile, has its functional norms. Hope I will be able to do justice. Grateful to PM." "Honored to be a candidate for Vice President of India. I have been actively engaged in public life for over four decades," he added. "India's strength and beauty lies in Parliamentary democratic system. It will be my endeavor to strengthen that further," Naidu said. "Lost my mother at a very young age,treated my party as my mother and they brought me up to this level," he further added.